Students at The University of Toledo are stepping up to help fellow students who are struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly 60 student organizations mobilized to donate $187,000 to the Rocket to Rocket Fund that is supporting students in need during the public health emergency.

The donation comes from University-allocated funds that student organizations had budgeted for activities, events and campaigns for the spring semester that they now can’t use.

“When we got word that funding was frozen, we asked if we could put it toward students who had lost their jobs and can’t pay their rent or buy groceries,” Becca Sturges, Student Government President and fourth-year neurobiology major, said. “We worked together to collectively pool the money to give to students in need. Whether we can be together on the campus we love or not, we support each other, especially those of us facing tremendous financial stress and anxiety right now.”

The student organizations that contributed about two-thirds of the massive donation include Campus Activities and Programming (CAP), Latino Student Union, Student Government, Student Bar Association, Dancing Rockettes, WXUT, Sports Clubs and Black Student Union.

“I am so grateful for our students’ altruistic and generous nature,” said Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, vice president for student affairs and vice provost. “These funds will be used to help hundreds of needy students. Our student leaders are living our mission of improving the human condition, and I could not be more proud of them.”

The Rocket to Rocket fund provides emergency relief for students in need. Donations help students facing financial hardships pay for housing, utilities, car repairs, medical bills, food and toiletries.

Make a donation and learn more about the drive on the Division of Student Affairs website.

UToledo students can apply for up to $500 by completing the University’s application for Rocket Aid.